“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.“
I remember seeing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button a few years ago, and being moved by the above quote. When I first heard the quote, I was at a point in my life where I was ready for a change of scenery. The story/quote/movie was a gentle nudge in the direction of adventure. Every Friday, I receive a reminder to watch the movie clip containing this letter.
The last year has been a whirlwind of an adventure for me. The transition from Dallas to San Francisco has been a very transformative experience that’s shown me what it means to have a 180-degree change in life circumstances.
There’s a lot more to life on the other side of your fears. Fears are often parts of ourselves that we simply haven’t learned to love yet. It’s impossible to jump-start the process.
This year, what changed the most in me was the ability to see others as a reflection of myself/life. When a baby leaves the womb, it’s #1 priority is itself. Often, this attitude carries deep into adulthood; the belief that the world is yours to plunder and suck from.
Selfishness is acceptable for a baby, as it’s part of survival. Selfishness, carried into adulthood, has the same odor as a dirty diaper, and is far uglier.
Sitting in a cafe in Uruguay, I’m really appreciative to wake up to a life that seems to grow more interesting with every passing morning.
I hope you, too, are on a path that leads you to a life you never dreamed was possible. I pray you wake up every morning with gratitude and a rampant lust for the richness of life. I hope you realize that every experience we capture has the ability to exponentially grow when you share your love and allow it to blossom.
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